Apply for payment of rent arrears to secure accommodation

If you have rent debts, you can receive financial help to avoid homelessness and advice on accommodation if you have lost your home.

If you have rent debts, these can only be taken over if this serves to secure your accommodation or to remedy a comparable emergency situation. The responsible local authority will assume the costs if you are threatened with acute loss of housing. This support is given to you in the form of a loan or a grant. In order for you to receive this support, one of the requirements is that you are unable to cope with the arrears on your own.

The decision as to whether you receive support is made on a case-by-case basis. An assessment will be made as to whether all the requirements for taking over your rent arrears are met.

There is no legal entitlement to the assumption of your rent debts.

Please contact your local social assistance provider or social welfare office.

• Application for payment of rent arrears
• Current statement of claims/rent account statement
• Reminder/notice of termination/action for eviction
• Tenancy agreement/rental certificate if applicable
• Service charge statement
• Proof of income of all people living in the household for the last 3 months (e.g. payslips, job center notice, children's income)
• List of all other expenses including supporting documents (e.g. telephone costs, insurance, bus ticket)
• Bank statements for the last 3 months
• If applicable, proof of debt obligations (e.g. installment payments and/or loan agreements)
• If applicable, rejection of an installment payment by the landlord or landlady/bank
• Residence permit, if applicable
• Further proof, if applicable
  

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: No

Your rent debts can only be taken over if, among other things:

• the costs of your current accommodation are reasonable,
• your landlord or landlady agrees in writing to the continuation of the tenancy,
• you have declared your intention to stay in the apartment for a longer period of time,
• there is no possibility of eliminating the emergency situation on your own (for example by agreeing an installment payment with your landlord/landlady),
• future rent payments are secured (e.g. through direct payments from the responsible benefit provider) and you can therefore remain in the apartment.
  

Further information on how to lodge an objection can be found in the notification of your application.

You can apply for the transfer of rent arrears in writing or online. It is advisable to make an appointment for a consultation before submitting your application.

• Optional: You contact the responsible local authority and arrange a consultation appointment in which your personal and financial circumstances are examined.
• You submit the application with supporting documents in writing or online.
• If no consultation appointment has taken place, you may be invited to an appointment.
• If all the documents are complete, an appointment for a home visit can optionally be arranged with you.
  • If no home visit is arranged, the application will be accepted at the first appointment.
  • If a home visit takes place, your home circumstances will be checked. It will be checked whether your home is worth keeping.
• Sometimes your landlord, the local court and/or other parties involved will be informed of the assumption of your rent debts.
• The responsible social welfare agency will check your application.
• You will be informed whether your rent debts will be taken over or not.
• If your rent debts are to be taken over, your rent debts will be settled by the social assistance provider.
• You agree in writing with the social welfare provider that your rent debts will be repaid. Repayment is usually made by assigning benefit entitlements.